USDA, HHS reveal revamped dietary guidelines

WASHINGTON — Addressing the obesity epidemic in the United States, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

DGA can help Americans maximize the nutritional content of their meals by providing advice for making food choices that promote good health, a healthy weight and prevent disease for healthy Americans ages 2 years and older, the USDA and HHS said. Key recommendations include:

Balancing calories to maintain a healthy weight;

Building healthy eating patterns;

Cutting back on sodium-heavy foods and foods with added sugars and fats;

Incorporating nutrient-dense foods into one's diet, including fruits and vegatables; and

Recommendations for pregnant women and individuals older than 50 years.

“The 2010 Dietary Guidelines are being released at a time when the majority of adults and 1-in-3 children is overweight or obese, and this is a crisis that we can no longer ignore,” said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack. “These new and improved dietary recommendations give individuals the information to make thoughtful choices of healthier foods in the right portions, and to complement those choices with physical activity.”